Heddlu Cymru · South Wales · North Wales · Gwent · Dyfed-Powys · 2026/27 Scales
Police officer salary in Wales 2026/27: South Wales, North Wales, Gwent & Dyfed-Powys
All four territorial Welsh police forces — South Wales Police, North Wales Police, Gwent Police and Dyfed-Powys Police(~8,187 FTE officers combined) — pay the national England & Wales PRRB salary scales and use standard UK (rUK) income tax bands. From 1 September 2026 (+3.5% pay award), a police constable in Wales starts on £32,256 (£1,952/month net) and rises to £52,014 at Pay Point 7 (£2,942/month net).
Sep 2026 scales (3.5% award applied; official PFEW tables pending) · Tax year 2026/27
Your details
When did you join?
Sep 2026 scales (3.5% award applied; official PFEW tables pending).
Some forces start new constables at PP2. Check your offer letter.
Contribution rates updated 1 April 2026 (Home Office consultation response)
Student loan
Many officers claim tax relief on Fed subscriptions and uniform upkeep via HMRC, changing their code to 1300L or similar. Check your payslip.
Pay periods
Working hours
Police officers are full-time on a 40-hourweek, so both default to 40. Working full time? Leave them equal. Part-time? Lower “your hours” (and set the full-time week to your force's standard if it isn't 40).
Salary sacrifice (pre-tax)
Other deductions (post-tax)
Salary sacrifice deductions reduce your taxable pay and therefore your income tax and NI. Other deductions are taken after tax.
Monthly take-home
£1,952
Annual take-home
£23,420
Weekly take-home
£450
Annual breakdown
Effective rate (tax + NI): 14.5% of gross pay · Employer also contributes ~35% pension (£11,386/yr on your behalf) · See what your pension will actually pay →
Tax code 1257L · Sep 2026 scales (3.5% award applied; official PFEW tables pending).
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Overtime
Basic hourly rate (excl. allowances)
£15.51/hr
£20.68 /hr overtime (×1.33)
Estimated overtime pay
Overtime is non-pensionable. Tax shown is an estimate based on your marginal rate — actual deduction depends on your total earnings that month.
Unsocial hours (8pm–6am)
Enhancement rate
£1.55/hr
+10% of £15.51/hr basic rate
Monthly impact
Non-pensionable. Based on your average weekly unsocial hours × 52 ÷ 12.
Working lots of shifts this month?
Add them all up and project your real monthly take-home in the Shift Planner — Pro, £20 / year.
Comparison of the 4 Welsh Police Forces (2026/27)
While basic pay, PPS 2015 pension tiers (12.88% / 13.88% / 14.22%) and Welsh Rates of Income Tax (20% / 40% / 45%) are identical across Wales, each force has its own command structure, Chief Constable weighting band, and pension administrator:
| Welsh Force | Strength & HQ | Chief Constable & PCC | BCUs / LPAs / Divisions | Pension Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South Wales Police Heddlu De Cymru | ~3,578 FTE (largest in Wales) HQ: Cowbridge Road, Bridgend (CF31 3SU) | CC Jeremy Vaughan · PCC Emma Wools | 4 BCUs: Cardiff & Vale, Swansea & Neath Port Talbot, Mid Glamorgan (Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend) + Joint Firearms Unit & Tarian ROCU | Officers: XPS Administration (Welsh helpline 0203 866 9545) · Staff: Rhondda Cynon Taf LGPS |
North Wales Police Heddlu Gogledd Cymru | ~1,737 FTE HQ: Glan-y-Don, Colwyn Bay (LL29 8AW) | CC Amanda Blakeman · PCC Andy Dunbobbin | 3 Areas: Western (Gwynedd & Anglesey), Central (Conwy & Denbighshire), Eastern (Flintshire & Wrexham) | Officers: XPS Administration (Welsh helpline 0203 866 9545) · Staff: Gwynedd / Clwyd LGPS |
Gwent Police Heddlu Gwent | ~1,554 FTE HQ: Llantarnam Park Way, Cwmbran (NP44 3FW) | CC Mark Hobrough · PCC Jane Mudd | 2 LPAs: East LPA (Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen) & West LPA (Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent) | Officers: XPS Administration (Welsh helpline 0203 866 9545) · Staff: Greater Gwent (Torfaen) LGPS |
Dyfed-Powys Police Heddlu Dyfed-Powys | ~1,318 FTE (>4,180 sq miles — largest area in E&W) HQ: Llangunnor, Carmarthen (SA31 2PF) | CC Ifan Charles · PCC Dafydd Llywelyn | 4 Divisions: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys | Officers & Staff: Dyfed Pension Fund (Carmarthenshire County Council) |
Wales police officer salary by rank (2026/27)
Compare all 43 England & Wales forces →Applies across South Wales Police, North Wales Police, Gwent Police and Dyfed-Powys Police from 1 September 2026 (+3.5% PRRB pay award, £0 regional weighting):
| Rank (All 4 Welsh Forces) | Starting Gross | Maximum Gross | Take-home / month (PPS 2015) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constable (PC / DC) | £32,256 | £52,014 | £1,952 – £2,942 |
| Sergeant (PS / DS) | £55,443 | £58,176 | £3,133 – £3,285 |
| Inspector (Insp / DI) | £66,000 | £71,397 | £3,612 – £3,835 |
| Chief Inspector | £72,807 | £75,708 | £3,894 – £4,014 |
| Superintendent | £87,123 | £102,480 | £4,471 – £5,104 |
| Chief Superintendent | £107,430 | £119,838 | £5,308 – £5,773 |
| Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) | £131,916 | £148,926 | 3-point national scale |
| Deputy Chief Constable (DCC — Band 3 to 5) | £151,434 | £174,189 | Dyfed-Powys (Band 5) to South Wales (Band 3) |
| Chief Constable (CC — Band 3 to 5) | £183,555 | £211,140 | Dyfed-Powys (£183,555) to South Wales (£211,140) |
Welsh police pay points by rank (Constable to Chief Inspector, 2026/27)
Wales Constable (PC / DC) pay scale (1 September 2026)
National Constable (PC / DC) guide →| Pay Point | Annual Gross | Monthly Gross | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP1 | £32,256 | £2,688 | £1,952 |
| PP2 | £33,609 | £2,801 | £2,021 |
| PP3 | £34,971 | £2,914 | £2,091 |
| PP4 | £36,336 | £3,028 | £2,161 |
| PP5 | £39,057 | £3,255 | £2,275 |
| PP6 | £44,544 | £3,712 | £2,554 |
| PP7 | £52,014 | £4,335 | £2,942 |
Wales Sergeant (PS / DS) pay scale (1 September 2026)
National Sergeant (PS / DS) guide →| Pay Point | Annual Gross | Monthly Gross | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP2 | £55,443 | £4,620 | £3,133 |
| PP3 | £56,574 | £4,715 | £3,196 |
| PP4 | £58,176 | £4,848 | £3,285 |
Wales Inspector (Insp / DI) pay scale (1 September 2026)
National Inspector (Insp / DI) guide →| Pay Point | Annual Gross | Monthly Gross | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP0 | £66,000 | £5,500 | £3,612 |
| PP1 | £67,797 | £5,650 | £3,686 |
| PP2 | £69,588 | £5,799 | £3,760 |
| PP3 | £71,397 | £5,950 | £3,835 |
Wales Chief Inspector pay scale (1 September 2026)
National Chief Inspector guide →| Pay Point | Annual Gross | Monthly Gross | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP1 | £72,807 | £6,067 | £3,894 |
| PP2 | £74,226 | £6,186 | £3,952 |
| PP3 | £75,708 | £6,309 | £4,014 |
Welsh Language Standards (Safonau'r Gymraeg) & Entry Routes
Under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, all four Welsh forces operate bilingual policing standards:
- Level 1 (Courtesy & Pronunciation): Every new joiner in South Wales, North Wales, Gwent and Dyfed-Powys who does not already speak Welsh is trained during paid duty time to pronounce Welsh personal and place names accurately and use everyday Welsh greetings (Bore da, Prynhawn da, Noswaith dda) before completing probation.
- Level 2–5 Bilingual Skills: Conversational and fluent Welsh skills (Levels 2–5) are a major operational advantage for neighbourhood policing, custody suites, control rooms and public engagement — particularly across Gwynedd, Anglesey, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.
- All-Wales Entry Pathways (PCDA, DHEP, PCEP): Recruits across all four forces start on Constable PP1 (£32,256 / £1,952/mo net), with academic delivery led in partnership with the University of South Wales and Wrexham University.
PCSOs in Wales, Overtime & Welsh Land Transaction Tax (LTT)
- PCSOs in Wales (£32,000–£38,500 package): Partly funded by the Welsh Government, PCSOs across the four Welsh forces are paid on Police Staff Council (PSC) Scales 4–5 (£27,204 to £32,613 basic) plus 12.5%–20% shift disturbance and weekend working allowances, giving a total package of roughly £32,000 to £38,500/year. See our PCSO salary calculator.
- Overtime & 10% Unsocial Hours: Based on basic hourly pay (£15.51/hr at PC PP1 to £25.01/hr at PC PP7): casual overtime at ×1.33, short-notice rest day at ×1.50, bank holidays at ×2.00, plus 10% Unsocial Hours (8pm–6am) and £35 On-Call Allowance. See our overtime calculator.
- Buying a Home in Wales (Welsh LTT): Property purchases in Wales pay Welsh Land Transaction Tax (LTT) (0% up to £225,000, with no separate first-time buyer relief) instead of English Stamp Duty. Check your borrowing power and Welsh LTT in our police officer mortgage calculator.
Police Pension Administration in Wales: XPS Administration vs Dyfed Pension Fund
1. South Wales, North Wales & Gwent Police Officers → XPS Administration
Warranted officers in South Wales Police, North Wales Police and Gwent Police belong to the Police Pension Scheme 2015 (CARE, 13.44% scheme design / 12.88%–14.22% tiered member rates), administered by XPS Administration (PO Box 562, Middlesbrough · portal: myownpension.co.uk), which operates a dedicated Welsh-language pension helpline on 0203 866 9545.
2. Dyfed-Powys Police & Welsh LGPS Staff Funds → Dyfed Pension Fund
For Dyfed-Powys Police, both the 2015 Police Pension Scheme for officers and the LGPS for civilian staff/PCSOs are administered locally by the Dyfed Pension Fund (Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthen · portal: dyfedpensionfund.org.uk). Staff and PCSOs in the other three forces belong to the Rhondda Cynon Taf, Gwynedd/Clwyd, and Greater Gwent (Torfaen) LGPS funds. See who runs my police pension.
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Related Wales & UK police pay guides
Revising for promotion in South Wales, North Wales, Gwent or Dyfed-Powys Police (PS £55,443–£58,176 / Insp £66,000–£71,397 / CI £72,807–£75,708)? Try Join The Cops NPPF Sergeants' Exam prep →
Police officer salary in Wales — frequently asked questions
How much does a police officer earn in Wales in 2026/27?
Policing in Wales is a non-devolved Home Office responsibility, so all four Welsh forces — South Wales Police, North Wales Police, Gwent Police and Dyfed-Powys Police — pay the national England and Wales PRRB salary scales. From 1 September 2026 (+3.5% award), a Welsh police constable starts on £32,256 (£1,952/month net) and progresses to £52,014 (£2,942/month net) at Pay Point 7.
Do police officers in Wales pay different income tax from England?
No. Unlike Scotland (which has six separate income tax bands), the Senedd has kept Welsh Rates of Income Tax (WRIT) identical to England and Northern Ireland at 20% (Basic Rate), 40% (Higher Rate above £50,270) and 45% (Additional Rate above £125,140). A police officer in Cardiff, Wrexham, Newport or Carmarthen therefore takes home the exact same monthly net pay as an officer on the national scale in England. However, when buying a home in Wales you pay Welsh Land Transaction Tax (LTT — 0% up to £225,000, with no separate first-time buyer relief) rather than English Stamp Duty (SDLT).
Do you get paid extra for speaking Welsh in the Welsh police forces?
There is no separate cash allowance under Police Regulations Annex U for speaking Welsh, because bilingual service is governed by statutory Welsh Language Standards (Safonau'r Gymraeg). Every new recruit who does not already speak Welsh is supported during paid work time to attain Level 1 (courtesy greetings and pronunciation of Welsh place and personal names) during probation, while Level 2–5 bilingual Welsh skills are a major career advantage for neighbourhood policing, custody, public contact and specialist posts across North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, South Wales and Gwent.
Who administers police pensions in Wales?
For warranted police officers in South Wales Police, North Wales Police and Gwent Police, the Police Pension Scheme 2015 (CARE) is administered by XPS Administration (online via myownpension.co.uk, with a dedicated Welsh-language helpline on 0203 866 9545). For Dyfed-Powys Police, both warranted police officer pensions and civilian LGPS pensions are administered by the Dyfed Pension Fund (Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthen).
How much do PCSOs earn in Wales in 2026/27?
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Wales — partly funded by the Welsh Government to expand community visibility — sit on Police Staff Council (PSC) Scales 4–5 (£27,204 to £32,613 basic salary) plus 12.5%–20% shift disturbance and weekend working allowances, giving a total full-time package of roughly £32,000 to £38,500 a year.
What are the four police forces in Wales?
Wales is policed by four territorial Home Office forces: South Wales Police (Heddlu De Cymru, ~3,578 officers, HQ Bridgend), North Wales Police (Heddlu Gogledd Cymru, ~1,737 officers, HQ Colwyn Bay), Gwent Police (Heddlu Gwent, ~1,554 officers, HQ Cwmbran), and Dyfed-Powys Police (Heddlu Dyfed-Powys, ~1,318 officers covering over 4,180 sq miles, HQ Carmarthen).